THE GRACE OF GOD

As a Christian, I aim to live my life in accordance to God’s word; the Bible. In this present age, this is increasingly harder than in previous generations, because there a million-and-one new things to tempt us.

I was reading my Bible App by YouVersion and I came across a couple of verses that act as encouragement to Believers. Titus 2: 11-12 (New International Version) says;

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

I found this verse particularly interesting because it shows that God understands the added pressure that many of us feel every day. Therefore, the passage offers a solution, something that helps relieve the pressure. And that is the grace of God. Grace is favour that is given to us by God. Breaking it down even further; it is the strength to live life, to overcome temptation and test and to have peace and joy. This Bible verse specifically mentions that the grace of God is the common denominator that people of faith need in order to distinguish their selves from the world. When I refer to ‘the world’, I refer to people that don’t know God or things that are not of God. These are things that Christians say ‘no thanks!’ to because it doesn’t agree with God’s word – the Bible.

The amplified version of this scripture dives even deeper into this passage, adding elaborations for us to understand even better. Titus 2: 11-12 (Amplified Version)

11 For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.

12 It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,

When we have the Holy Spirit within us, we are able to see what is of God and what isn’t. Verse 12 (AMP) says, “… worldly (passionate) desires…”: a person who doesn’t have Jesus in their heart is more likely to be driven by emotions in life. But as Christians, we know that all things happen for our good, as illustrated in Romans 8:28. We are not swayed by emotions and feelings; we have our eyes and mind and perspective set on the things of God and His overall purpose for our lives.

Paula Melissa is a freelance digital content creator, trainee journalist and portrait photographer. Since starting a blog in 2012, Paula has gone on to create and grow her own dynamic digital media empire. She loves reading, eating and spending time with her dog, Rolfie.